Biblical Decision-Making
Guidelines on Discerning God’s Will & Wisdom in Life’s Decisions
Buck AndersonPastor, Leadership Development
Grace Bible Church
Biblical Decision-Making
The Usual Questions
Choice of collegeChoice of churchJobMoveMarriageKids
Biblical Decision-Making
The Usual Suspects
Pray about itPro-Con ListSeek God’s perfect willSense His leadingOpen & closed doorsNike approach: “just do it”
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrerequisitesThe Principles
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The Prerequisites Establish the life-long goal to serve the
Lord in a way/place that makes the greatest impact for the Kingdom.
Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, "The sons of Israel
shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their
fathers' households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting…
Numbers 2:1-2
Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.
1 Kings 8:61
We are not primarily called to do something or go
somewhere; we are called to Someone.
Os GuinnessThe Call
The intentional arrangement of one’s life around the Person and Word of
God is the essence of the Christian life.
The goal of my life is to know God better than I know anything else so that I can delight in Him
more than anything else.
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The Prerequisites Establish the life-long goal to serve the
Lord in a way/place that makes the greatest impact for the Kingdom. Matt. 6:33a; Prov.16:3, 9; James 4:13-16;
Eph.1:18; Phil.1:9-10; Col. 1:9)
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The Prerequisites Establish the life-long goal to serve the
Lord in a way/place that makes the greatest impact for the Kingdom.
Consistently seek the Lord through Bible study, contemplation, prayer, discipleship, insight/counsel of others, (i.e., mind your spiritual “P’s & Q’s”).
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrerequisitesThe Principles
Key: “Filter” decisions top to down
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesThe Prerequisites
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual giftingPersonal “fit”DesireOpportunity
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual gifting
Does your spiritual gifting align with the scenario you are considering?
1 Cor 12-14; Rom 12; Eph 4; 1 Pet 4 Spiritual Gift handout
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual giftingPersonal “fit”DesireOpportunity
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesPersonal “fit”Does your personality, network,
talent, experience, and culture, (i.e., “fit”) align with the scenario you are considering?
Personal “Fit”
Personality - can I use my personality strategically in this new area?
Network - can I use my network strategically in this area?
Talent - can I use my talents & abilities strategically in this new area?
Experience/Culture - will I blend in with the people in this new area?
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual giftingPersonal “fit”DesireOpportunity
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesDesireDo you desire to actualize the
scenario you are considering? “Delight thyself in the Lord and He
will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual giftingPersonal “fit”DesireOpportunity
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesOpportunityHave you been given the
opportunity to actualize the scenario you are considering?
Opportunity
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. (Col. 4:5)
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. (Phil. 4:10)
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
The PrinciplesSpiritual giftingPersonal “fit”DesireOpportunity
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
In those areas specifically addressed by the Bible, the revealed commands
& principles of God (His moral will = the Bible) are to be obeyed.
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
In those areas where the Bible gives no command or principle (non-moral
decisions), the believer is free and responsible to choose his/her own
course of action.
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
In non-moral decisions, the objective of the Christian is to make wise decisions he/she believes to be the most strategic
and impact for the Kingdom of God.
Biblical Decision-MakingGuidelines
In all decisions, the believer should humbly submit, in advance, to the
outworking of Gods sovereign will as it touches each decision.
Resources
Decision Making & the Will of God (Garry Friesen)
Decisions by the Book (Haddon Robinson)
Found: God’s Will (John MacArthur)
Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? (Bruce Waltke)
The Mystery Of God's Will (Charles R. Swindoll)
The Call (Os Guinness)
Strength Finder 2.0 (Tom Rath)
Strengthfinders: Context, Belief, Developer, Responsibility, Achiever Buildingchurch.net : 1. Administration: 14 14. Knowledge: 17 2. Apostle: 16 15. Leadership:15 3. Discerning of Spirits: 12 16. Mercy: 9 4. Evangelism: 9 17. Miracles: 6 5. Ekballism: 5 18. Missionary: 15 6. Exhortation: 15 19. Prophecy: 14 7. Faith: 15 20. Service: 15 8. Giving: 15 21. Shepherd: 17 9. Healing: 3 22. Teaching: 17 10. Helps: 16 23. Tongues: 0 11. Hospitality: 15 24. Voluntary Poverty: 9 12. Intercession: 16 25. Wisdom: 12 13. Interpretation of Tongues: 0
NAMEProfiles, Analyses, Discussions in consideration of him for POSITION August 2012 Spiritual Gift Profile (SHAPE): Teaching, Wisdom, Faith, Leadership, Exhortation, Knowledge, and Evangelism Spiritual Gift Profile (online): Teaching, Knowledge, Shepherd, Leadership, Wisdom, Administration, and Discernment CISS (plots perceived Interests and Skills):
High: Influencing, HelpingLow: Producing, Adventuring, CreatingSuggested Fields: Public Speaking, Religious activities, Counseling, Writing, Leadership
StrengthsFinder:
LearnerBeliefRelatorActivatorStrategic
DISC: High D; High I – typical pastoral/up-front profile. Surprisingly high C (Compliant = logical, organized, accurate, tactful) 360 Analysis from co-workers: NAME: wants to teach/preach on stage to lots of people
1 Kings 8:61
Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to
keep His commandments, as at this day.